Monday, October 23, 2006

Those Were The Days

I'll be taking another short break from blogging because I've an assignment due on Wednesday and a major test on Friday. In between I've to celebrate my sister's birthday, watch Death Note the movie, and then watch the three episodes of anime I've downloaded and the read manga. Which also means that I'll be very busy in the upcoming week. I've also to settle some SEP stuff which I'll blog later because it's causing me a big big headache. And I've a ton of projects to do too.

So, on with it. The song of the week~
Those Were The Days
by Mary Hopkin


Those Were The Days on Youtube

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days

From what I've read on the net, this song was originally some Russian folk song, but some also say that it was an unnamed song in Brazil for the longest time ever. I kind of like the Russian lyrics too.

DOROGOJ DLINNOYU
Ehali na trojke s bubencami,
A vdali mel'kali ogon'ki. Mne b sejchas, sokoliki, za Vami,
Dushu by razveyat' ot toski.
Dorogoj dlinnoyu, da noch'yu lunnoyu,
Da s pesnej toj, chto vdal' letit zvenya,
Is toj starinnoyu s toj semistrunnoyu,
Chto po nocham tak muchala menya...
Tak zhivya bez radosti, bez muki,
Pomnyu ya ushedshie goda, I tvoi serebryanye ruki V trojke,
uletevshej navsegda... Dorogoj dlinnoyu...
Dni begut, pechali umnozhaya, Mne tak trudno proshloe zabyt'.
Kak-nibud' odnazhdy, dorogaya,
Vy menya svezete horonit'.
Dorogoj dlinnoyu...

Translated, that would be
As sung by A.Vertinskiy:

(We) Used to ride in a three-horse carriage with bells (tinkling)
And lights were blinking in the distance
I wish I could go with you (again), falcons
To clear my soul off all my grief

Refrain:
(Going down) that long road on a moonlight night with that
song that is flying away, ringing
And with that old seven-string one (guitar)
That troubled me so much at nights

Living such life without joy and torture,
I recollect the years that passed by
And your silver hands
in that three-horse carriage which went away for good...
Refrain: (same as above)
Days are passing by, multiplying my sorrows,
It's so hard for me to forget the past
And one day the day will come, my dear,
When you are going to bury me...
Refrain: (as above)

I think I'm starting to fall in love with these sort of old school songs, perhaps it's because I'm growing old, and with everyone who ages, nostalgia will follow... ah well...

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